Equal Salary Foundation & BPW International
Lead by example.
Become EQUAL-SALARY certified by a trusted, independent nonprofit.
The time for debating wage inequality is over. Whether between men and women, or according to race/ethnicity, today we can take up this complex challenge and get to the heart of the matter. We can pave the way for real change. Equal pay and equal opportunity. Regardless of gender or ethnic identity.
To ensure your company’s success and gain a competitive edge – building a solid reputation, attracting and retaining the best talent – it’s not enough to say you practice equal pay.
With the EQUAL-SALARY certification, your company gets to put its values into action. To back its words up with facts. To take a stand for what’s right.
Getting EQUAL-SALARY certified sends out a powerful message, proving that your company has a fair wage policy. You’re setting an example, you become a leader within your industry and create solid foundations for your ESG strategy.
Equalizer Ambassador Program
The EQUALIZER Ambassador Program is a way for you to fight the gender pay gap issue. In connecting a group of like-minded individuals, we hope to raise awareness and educate society on the importance of this cause. As an EQUALIZER, you will be given a variety of tasks that can be done to increase attention and teach others. The tasks can include attending a conference, speaking at your local businesses, writing articles for your regional newspapers, attending local events and more! The program is designed to be flexible, therefore, there is no daily or weekly commitment.
At the BPW International Congress in St. Kitts, Judith Baumberger, BPW International Chair MoU Equal Salary Chair, will present Equal Salary and the collaboration between Equal Salary and BPW International, in particular the Ambassadors Program, in a workshop.
Equal Salary Certification
https://www.equalsalary.org/the-certified-companies/
While these organizations cover a diverse range of industries, countries and sizes, they have one important thing in common: they are all paving the way by proving their commitment to equal pay for all employees.
They understand that getting EQUAL-SALARY certified isn’t only the right thing to do, it is good for business. This one bold move creates so many benefits for your company. It establishes a culture of trust and transparency. It boosts employee loyalty and attracts a new generation of talent. It shows your clients and competitors that you stand for fairness and progress. Not to mention it helps strengthen the entire economy by inspiring other organizations to follow suit.
No matter where your company is based or what industry you work in, you have the power to make a real difference.
Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is entered into by and between the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation, a non- profit organization headquartered in VEVEY, Switzerland ("EQUAL-SALARY") - https://www.equalsalary.org/ -, and the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, a non-governmental organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland ("BPW International") - https://www.bpw-international.org/.
EQUAL-SALARY is a leading organization dedicated to advancing equal pay and promoting gender equality in the workplace through certification, research, and advocacy; and
BPW International is a global network of business and professional women working to empower women in leadership and promote gender equality in all spheres of life; and
EQUAL-SALARY and BPW International share a common goal of promoting gender equality in the workplace and are interested in collaborating to advance this goal through advocacy for the cause of equal pay and equal opportunity.
Therefore, EQUAL-SALARY and BPW International agree as follows:
- Purpose: The purpose of this MOU is to establish a framework for cooperation between EQUAL-SALARY and BPW International to advance gender equality in the workplace.
- Cooperation: EQUAL-SALARY and BPW International agree to cooperate in the following areas:
- Promoting awareness of equal pay and gender equality in the workplace through joint communication and advocacy efforts,
- Inviting BPW members to join the EQUAL-SALARY Ambassador program,
- Participating in joint events, seminars, and workshops related to equal pay and gender equality in the workplace through the EQUAL-SALARY Ambassador program or BPW events.
The MoU Equal Salary and BPW International was signed in April 2024 by Co-CEO Lisa Rubli and Noémie Storbeck and Dr. Catherine Bosshart, BPW International President 2021-2024, with Eufemia Ippolito, EFO 2021-2024, and Judith Baumberger, Past President BPW Zurich, BPW Davos Klosters, Switzerland, chairing the Equal Salary Memorandum of Understanding for BPW International and first Equal Salary Ambassador.
EQUAL-SALARY Foundation
EQUAL-SALARY is a non-profit organization established in 2010 as a Foundation, as defined by Swiss law. It was founded by Véronique Goy Veenhuys, BPW Vaud, Switzerland, a social entrepreneur and equal pay advocate who created the concept of the certification back in 2005 and has overseen its development from day one.
Because wage inequality is such a sensitive issue, the Foundation’s mission from the start was to develop a practical and scientific tool that allows companies to verify and communicate that they pay their female and male employees equally for the same role. The certification process was developed in collaboration with the University of Geneva, an institution specialized in labour market issues, and with world-leading auditing bodies. The responsibility of assigning the certification for fair wage policies goes to the Foundation.
Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Board - Former Federal Councilor and President of Switzerland: “Paying women less than men implies that women are worth less. This is unacceptable.”
